A crazed neighbour fired 18 shots at a primary school allegedly because he was disturbed by the children's noise during playtime in Thailand.

Wutthiphong Chalermwuthanon, 43, was detained by cops in his apartment in Ranong province on November 27 after he opened fire on the Ming Xin primary school opposite the building.

Officers confiscated from him three guns including a 9-mm handgun, a .22 long gun, and a .22 handgun.

A teacher on weekend duty told police that Wutthipong used an unidentified firearm to shoot at the school field. It was a Sunday afternoon, but children were in the campus to practice for a contest.

The frightened students fled into a building and informed the teacher, who took footage of the shots coming from the opposite building.

No injuries were reported, but police found two lead bullets at the scene.

Ranong police chief Police Major General Cherdphong Chiewpreecha said: 'Authorities have decided to use martial law to arrest the suspect. A court arrest warrant is being prepared for him and we are opposing bail because he is considered a dangerous person.'

Wutthipong allegedly admitted to investigators that the racket from the school's activities spurred him to commit the shooting.

He is facing a charge of attempted murder, and his gun licenses have been revoked.

Phornsin Srisuphan, deputy director of the Ming Xin school, said: 'In the past two years, the school has had problems with one resident who has constantly been complaining about the student's activities, including singing the national anthem and noise during recess.'

He also claimed that Wutthipong had previously fired shots at the school before, killing a pigeon.

Following the event, police and Department Of Provincial Administration officers were sent to the school to reassure concerned parents and staff.